May 08 As fentanyl death toll spikes, states step up their interventions By Christine Vestal, Stateline With the advent of fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic drugs, many states are amplifying those policies and adding new programs to protect drug users from deadly contaminants in heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs. Continue reading
May 06 Amid gas-tax revenue decline, new fees on fuel-efficient cars By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline Lawmakers in California, home to almost half of the nation’s electric vehicles, decided this year to impose an annual fee on the owners of plug-in electric cars beginning in 2020. Continue reading
Apr 30 More states adopt ‘click it or ticket’ laws, but do they work? By Jenni Bergal, Stateline Nearly three dozen states allow police to stop a car and ticket motorists simply for not wearing a seat belt. But foes say the laws are too intrusive and can lead to… Continue reading
Apr 28 Rising numbers of rural youth are unemployed and out of school, and it’s costing all of us By Tim Henderson, Stateline 4.9 million young Americans nationwide are disconnected-- unemployed and not in school. The rate of disconnected youth has soared in rural areas, costing taxpayers as much as $93 billion dollars annually. Continue reading
Apr 16 Taxing the new economy, starting with Uber and Lyft By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline If any service best reflects the new economy, it may be hailing rides on demand from big companies like Uber and Lyft. Continue reading
Apr 13 Where are the nation’s worst drivers? This data may hold the answer By Tim Henderson, Stateline A new study finds drivers' behavior can be tied to particular U.S. regions and the stringency of states' laws on cellphone use in cars. Continue reading
Mar 12 Lawmakers look to curb foreign influence in state elections By Rebecca Beitsch, Stateline Bills under consideration in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Washington state would bar political spending by businesses in which non-U.S. citizens have a significant ownership stake. Continue reading
Mar 10 Should states require seatbelts on school buses? By Jenni Bergal, Stateline Despite changes in attitudes, the high cost of paying for seat belts on school buses remains a major stumbling block to adopting mandatory laws. Continue reading
Feb 23 As Trump eyes infrastructure, local leaders say save ‘muni bonds’ By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline COLUMBIA, S.C. — Structures built with municipal bonds stand out in this city. There is the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, and new parking garages for a revitalized restaurant and apartment district. Sleek, futuristic water towers loom on the edge of… Continue reading
Feb 12 Sheriffs still looking for clarity on deportation By Tim Henderson, Stateline Despite tough talk on sanctuary cities from the Trump administration, many sheriffs still fear that they lack the legal right to hold prisoners for possible deportation, even at the request of federal authorities. Sheriffs, who operate 85 percent… Continue reading